WHO’LL FIND LOVE ON OUR BLIND DATE

EVERY week, we send a couple out for dinner and report back on their blind date. This week, Angela Forte and Timothy Franklin went to Claridge’s in London.

Angela is 46 with twin teenage daughters. She is a duty manager for a period house hotel and lives in Surrey. Having been widowed seven years ago, she is looking to meet someone special.

Timothy is 55 and a semi-retired chef, who has spent his career working in private stately homes and Michelin- starred restaurants. He has never married and has a 26-year-old daughter.

ANGELA, 46, SAYS:

EVEN though I didn’t feel an immediate chemistry with Tim, I thought perhaps as we got to know each other it might develop, as first impressions were good.

He’s an attractive man, though not really my type, and easy to talk to so there were no awkward silences even from the outset.

I was very nervous I have to admit, but once I got there I felt fine.

Claridge’s is such a beautiful place to have a date, and Tim was very friendly so I relaxed immediately.

We just started talking and kept going all evening. We have lots in common thanks to our work and our children and so it was easy. The food was amazing. I had lobster, which was a real treat, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming.

Tim’s got a lovely personality and he’s obviously very caring. From the way he talked about looking after his parents and his daughter I sensed he’s a good son and father and would go out of his way to look after someone, which are traits I think most people would appreciate.

Despite having a very interesting career, it didn’t feel like he was bragging. What was lovely was that he listened, and showed he was interested in my life, too.

But attraction is so specific and as we talked I wondered what it would be like to go out with him.

Although we clicked personality-wise, the spark just wasn’t there. I work in a hotel and meet lots of lovely people, but I think it’s really hard to find someone your age who you really click with. It is important to me that there is a physical attraction and chemistry and I’m looking for more than just friendship. I’m too young to settle for anything less than love.

After my husband passed away, I dated someone on and off, but it didn’t lead anywhere. I found internet dating really impersonal and demoralising, and just not for me. I tried it but got my fingers burnt.

My daughters are 17 now, and have their own lives, but are really supportive of me. They’re happy if I’m happy.

Tim is such a lovely guy, I know he’ll make someone very happy. He’ll be a 10/10 for someone, I know it.

I would meet him again for a coffee, as I really enjoyed his company, but there’s no romance. This date really has encouraged me to keep trying and I would definitely go on a blind date again. It’s almost nicer not knowing anything about the person before you arrive; it’s quite exciting, actually. I just hope there is someone out there for me. LIKED: He’s very easy to talk to. REGRETS: none.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

VERDICT: 7/10

TIMOTHY, 55, SAYS:

I’VE had long-term relationships, but from very early on my career meant I worked when everyone else was off — evenings, weekends, bank holidays, Christmas. I loved it and met some really interesting people. For a while I worked as a private chef for the Earl and Countess Spencer both at their home Knightsbridge and at the Althorp estate in northamptonshire.

I met Diana of course, who was always lovely to cook for. I cooked for both her and Prince Charles. But now I have more time on my hands and am a bit more accessible, I’d love to find someone to share my life with.

I’ve spent the past six months writing, trying to put together my autobiography, but I enjoy eating out and watching a bit of cricket. I’ve also been on a few dates.

I advertised in The Lady magazine, but nothing has come of that. I’d consider myself kind, sophisticated and educated, with ‘old school values’.

My daughter Jasmine is 26 this year and she is happy that I’m dating. I tell her most things, so that keeps me motivated.

I’ve never been on a blind date before, but I’m fairly laid back so I wasn’t nervous.

I arrived first and admired my surroundings. Claridge’s is a beautifully opulent setting for a date. When Angela arrived, she immediately apologised for being about five minutes late, which didn’t bother me at all. At first glance, she certainly ticked all the right boxes. She was lovely and very sophisticated.

I greeted her with a kiss on each cheek and we just fell into talking. We chatted about lots of things such as our work, our daughters, and holidays, and had a bit of a laugh.

Later, I walked away thinking I did rabbit on a bit and I hoped she didn’t think I talked too much! It was really enjoyable, and I could have stayed all night, but she had to leave and meet her cousin who had travelled in with her.

Angela’s such an easy-going person, I felt relaxed and comfortable. We both just went with the flow and there were no awkward moments of silence.

The food was very nice indeed, though I’m never critical when I go out to a restaurant as I know what it’s like on the other side!

I had the seared scallops with crab tortellini followed by the lamb. Angela had lobster thermidor, which looked wonderful.

I’m not sure if Angela felt there was a spark, but I would definitely be keen to meet up for a second date. next time, I’d love to go out with her and do something fun.

She is charming, and all the things I expect and would look for in a woman.

LIKED: She’s a lovely lady and ticked all the right boxes.

REGRETS: none. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

VERDICT: 9/10

I’m too young to settle for anything less than love

She’s got everything I look for in a woman